Walgreens and Instacart, the grocery delivery specialist, are joining forces to increase food access for millions of low-income Americans nationwide.
The companies announced on Tuesday that individuals on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy groceries online from Walgreens and have them delivered the same day by Instacart.
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Previously, most Walgreens stores only accepted SNAP/EBT for in-store purchases. But now, over 7,500 Walgreens stores across the country will allow tens of millions of Americans receiving monthly food assistance benefits to shop for SNAP-eligible items online.
“Our collaboration with Instacart highlights Walgreens’ dedication to expanding access to essential food items for our customers,” stated Walgreens senior vice president Balachandra Visalatha in a press release. “By incorporating SNAP/EBT payments, we are simplifying the shopping experience for families and individuals, providing an efficient and customer-centric solution to meet their evolving needs and preferences.”
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According to data from the Department of Agriculture, more than 42 million people in the U.S. receive monthly SNAP benefits. Eligibility is based on income, with a family of four needing to earn less than $3,007 monthly to qualify for benefits.
Instacart vice president Sarah Mastrorocco stated that the new partnership with Walgreens will allow 96% of households currently enrolled in SNAP to have essential items delivered directly to their doorstep.
“We are committed to offering the best online selection for SNAP families, providing both access and choice through our marketplace,” said Mastrorocco. “By expanding with trusted retailers like Walgreens, we are proud to assist more families in receiving their essentials delivered to them.”
